Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

This poem was written after getting my wife’s 19 years perspective of being a police officer’s wife.


“He Does it For You!”

He doesn’t do it for the money,
Cause surely there’s something better to do,
He says, “Someone has to do it!”
So really, he does it for you.

His eight to twelve hours is from call to call,
From a murder to a cat in a tree,
You say he’s never around when you really need him,
But without him, where would you be?

You curse him when you get a speeding ticket,
And scream there’s something better he could do,
But have you looked at how many deaths there are on the highways,
So really, he’s doing it for you.

He’s always seeing so much bad in the world,
He really doesn’t know what to do,
He wonders sometimes if it’s even worth it,
But he knows he has to do it for you.

Each day when he leaves for work,
And I always kiss him good-bye,
I don’t know if I’ll see him again,
Cause the day might be the day he dies.

So many times he comes home from work,
And I see a small tear in his eyes,
I ask him what is the problem dear?
And he says another innocent person has died.

You always say a cop isn’t human,
Cause at a tragedy he’s cool from the start,
But you don’t have to live with him,
And watch his mind and heart break apart.

I remember one hot June night at work,
His supervisor came, “Your husband’s been hurt!”, he said,
It was such a long ride to the hospital,
They wouldn’t say if he was alive or dead.

Crime is always on the increase,
The streets a battle ground,
And when one in “Blue” is slain,
At the funeral-taps will sound.

He’ll lay in a flagged draped coffin,
An honor for those who die for this land,
Just like the Army, Navy and Marines,
He died by the enemies hands.

Most ordinary citizens won’t be at the funeral,
But you’ll see plenty of people wearing blue,
You’ll see dozens of marked patrol cars,
Honoring the one who died for you.


Written by David L Bell Copyright © 1991
Retired Deputy Sheriff after over 38 years
Richland County Sheriff’s Dept
Columbia, SC

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 24, 2013

Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a brother. The Line only stretches, it will never break. Rest Easy Bro, your watch is covered.

Kim Silvernail Ct. FOP Lodge #11

October 24, 2013

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO! May God
Give the family and friends the strength and faith to deal with this tragic loss. Words can not express my sorrow!

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

This may be re-posted in the Honor of his death and the death of any Law Enforcement Officer!

Investigator Dvid L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 24, 2013

Thank you for your service Officer Crenshaw. You will never be forgotten. Rest in peace...

Chief Joseph A. Edwards
Columbia Police Department, IL

October 24, 2013

R.I.P. my brother, may God look over your family, friends, & co-workers.

Deputy H. King
Cook County Sheriff's Dept. (Greater Chicago Area)

October 24, 2013

Our prayers to his family and friends at his loss. His service was appreciated and his dedication to his job that led up to his loss. May GOD be with you all.

Sgt. Charles Carty (Retired)
Benton Arkansas Police Department

October 24, 2013

R.I.P. brother LEO, you will be missed more than can be said. God bless the family and carry them through this difficult time. Thank you Officer Crenshaw for your honorable, selfless, service in which you gave ALL.

Cpl Gerald Otto
Village Public Safety Officer/Alaska State Troopers

October 24, 2013

I am so very sorry for the loss of Officer Crenshaw. My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers during this difficult time.
Officer Crenshaw, thank you for your dedicated service to your community. You gave your life in the line of duty as so many have. You will be remembered as a true HERO and never fogotten. RIP

May god give you comfort and peace during this difficult time.

Gina M. Miller, surviving Fiance
Washington State Trooper Tony V. Radulescu `

October 24, 2013

All my thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and fellow Officers of Officer Crenshaw. I had the chance to work with him on a few occasions and he was always a joy to be around.

Officer Crenshaw, we will stand the line for you here just as you have gone ahead to stand the line for us.

John C. Edwards, Field Officer III
Mississippi Dept. of Corrections, Starkville Office

October 24, 2013

REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER. The Jones County Sheriff's Department sends their deepest condolences to Officer Crenshaw's family as well as the Eupora Police Department and the surrounding Brother Agencies.

Captain Jerry Hutcheson
Jones County Sheriff's Department , Ms.

October 24, 2013

Rest in peace Brother Keith.

Ofc. Timothy M. Furlong
Nahant, MA PD

October 24, 2013

Rest in Peace Officer Crenshaw. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Crenshaw Family and the Eupora Police Department.

Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office Wayne, NJ

October 24, 2013

Rest in peace Brother....my thoughts are with your family, friends, and the members of the EPD during this most difficult and tragic time....

Lt. Joseph Ward, Ret.
Jackson, NJ PD

October 24, 2013

To the family of Officer Crenshaw:

My family's prayers are with you and your entire family in this time of loss. We pray that God gives you strength and courage now and in the months to come. We pray that your friends and your loved ones fellow officers stand by your side and help you down this road. We hope that good memories of the past will give you comfort in the future.

The Wilson Family

Tom & Laura Wilson
Installation Ammunition Chief, JBLM

October 24, 2013

I am so sorry Keith. My thoughts are with you and your family and Dept. Thank you for your services. You will never be forgotten.

Derek DeGraw Regional Security Manger
Overton Private Security

October 24, 2013

On behalf of the Stark County Sheriff's Office and it's Honor Guard, we wish to extend our condolences to the family of Officer Crenshaw and to the Eupora Police Department.

Stark County Sheriff's Office
Deputy CD Newman
Honor Guard Compliance Officer

October 24, 2013

Rest in peace! My deepest condolences to the family, friends and fellow co-workers.....Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matt: 5:9)...

Master Trooper (Ret) John Jett
Louisiana State Police

October 24, 2013

Rest In Peace Sir! My deepest condolences go out ot Officer Crenshaw's family and friends as well as the entire Eupora Police Department. Another hero torn from the Thin Blue Line...

Deputy Michael Matranga
Orange County Sheriff's Department
Regional Traffic Bureau

October 24, 2013

RIP Brother, Prayers are with your Family and Department.

Sgt. Chris L. Corteville (Ret)
Berrien County Sheriff, St Joseph, Michigan

October 24, 2013

Officer Crenshaw, may you rest in peace. You're a true hero.

Sgt Richard Eckert
Town of Chester PD

October 24, 2013

Rest, brother.

Cpl Steve Headley
Mishawaka, IN police

October 24, 2013

RIP officer. A job well done. You gave all so others could be safe

todd meskell

October 24, 2013

Rest in Peace, Hero. May God grant comfort to your family, co-workers and friends. Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice. God Bless You.

Noranne Stubbs Lenox - Office Coordinato
Arizona Department of Public Safety

October 24, 2013

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

October 24, 2013

God Bless Officer Keith Crenshaw and Thank You for your service to Eupora Police Department. Your Courage and Service will not be forgotten. May God Bless also your Family, your Friends, Your fellow officers and the people of Eupora, MS. Rest In Peace Brother.

Ed. S
Grateful Citizen

October 24, 2013